The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-04-14
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught bY Study OF the Inter-
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
April "a. Gen., AZ :1-l2.

friends after an interval of % years. The in
terview took place in Joseph's palace in Egypt.
The news soon spread and came to the ear Of
Pharaoh. He urged Joseph to have all his
family come down and make their home in the
choicest part of the land. The IL brothers re-
turned to Hebron and told their father the
news. Pharaoh furnished them various con-
veyances for the comfort Of Jacob and family
in the journey from Canaan to Egypt. The
father was convinced all was right, and set out
for Joseph's home. At Beersheba God met him,
as at Bethel, and gave him splendid assurances
as to the future Of himself and his descendants.
We see from 46: 1927 that Sc persons besides
Joseph (V. 26) are named as of the number who
went down into Egypt-12 sons, daughter, 40
grandsons, 4 great-grandsons and great grand
daughter. Joseph was already in Egypt; hence,
including Jacob, 66 are named. II we count
the grandsons of Jacob by Judah who were
dead and the 2 sons of Joseph who were in
Egypt we have 20. (46:27) OF course many
more persons must have gone, since Jacobs
family must have been much larger. (Acts,
7:4)
Knowing the family were on way to Egypt,
Joseph set out in his chariot to meet the pro-
cession. The interview took place in the land
of Goshen. There the father and son fell into
each others arms and wept for joy. Jacob had
not seen Joseph since he was lad of IL years.
For % years he had mourned him as dead.
JOocpu pIOullocu lut idIully luStENlch with
Pharaoh, and instructed them how to act and
talk.
Goshen was a very desirable part Of Egypt.
It was said to bear the highest valuation and
to yield the largest revenue of any in Egypt"
1t was district of Lower Egypt, on the side
nearest Palestine, very rich in pasturage, well
watered. 1t is known now as the Wadi-t
7ameylGt. 1t was about 60 miles square. Rameses
was q city of Goshen. To-day the whole region
iS n sandy wasta lisa LIZ. 1Q.t ~
We can put the ages of Jacobs children at
the time of our lesson as follows: Reuben, 10;
Simeon, 40; Levi, A; Judah, 43; Dan, 43;
Naphtali, 42; Cad, ~; Asher, Al Issacher, Al
Zebulon. 40; Dinah, 80; Benjamin, 20; Jo-
seph, 80.
At the time of this lesson Jacob was (l7:9)
100 years old. He was born 216S A. NJ, and
hence he was introduced to Pharaoh in the
year 229S A. M. This was 1706 b. g. Jacobs
days had been 4,45O.
The Egyptian name of Joseph was Zaphnath-
paaneah. 1t is not uncommon to take kind
of naturalization name. The real name of
August Belmont was Schoenberg but when he
came to America he selected his now WELL
known but really assumed name.
Jacob had always led quiet, rural life He
knew nothing of the gGrgeOusness of great
metropolis. He must have had strange feel
ings when entering the Egyptian capital,
and specially when being ushered into the daz-
cling grandeur of the royal palace. He was
plain man, a shepherd, used only to the most
simple arts of living. The capital was the focus
of art and luxury and style. The whole COM
mercial world was astir to add to its magnif-
eence. At the wharf ships were unloaded laden
with cinnamon, frankineense, diamonds, ivory,
iron. marble, purple, silk-everything which
ministers to eye, and ear, and taste. What a
strange sight to meet the gaze of mere shep-
herd! As he walked up through paved avenues,
lined on either side by sphinxes and obelisks
and all sorts of statuary, how his eyes must
have filled with wonder! To one used only to
outdoor rude affairs, how grand must have ap-
peared those towering fanes, built by ma
tons wealth. To one accustomed almost ex-
elusively to foot-travel, cushioned palanquins
and brilliant chariots must have seemed fairy
like. As he passed on fountains of perfumed
waters splashed, sweet zephers from OdOrous
gardens were waited, the incense Of crushed
herbs, burning drugs or ignited sweet woods
permeated the air. And we cannot imagine
Jacob comfortable in palace so adorned with
luxurious furnishings, gathered from every
quarter OF the earth-g0ld utensils, silver
bosses, tamarisk ornaments, mosaic floors,
bronzed images. sofas and chairs bedeeked by
most patient skill and highest art Joseph had
become used to royal grandeur; but Jacob must
have lost self-control when so suddenly trans
| ferred from rusticity to regal elegance. OF
course he was embarrassed and it was kind of
Pharaoh to relieve him from his trying position
by asking so naturally and kindly: How old
art thOu?" Thiswa topic on which he could
| talk-indeed, it is rather favorite subject with
the aged. The question showed interest and
concern, and set Jacob quite ut rest.
Joseph must have been looked on enviously
by the Egyptians, and hence it was very wise
of him not to use seemingly any influence or
authority in settling his relatives in the
choicest part of Egypt. Pharaoh himself as
| signed Goshen to them and offered them civil
positions. Thus Joseph escaped the charge of
nepotism.
The Hebrew word for cattle" (v 81 really
means any possession. Since nomadic races
owned scarce any property but livestock the
word came to mean cattle, sheep, goats, etc.
Some scholars take the word with broad signi-
fcation, and think we are to understand
Pharaoh desired Joseph to appoint the most
| qualified of his brothers to prominent positions
of control, thus lessening Joseph's labor and
elevating his family into greater prominence
and responsibility among the Egyptians. We
do not read that Joseph thus appointed any OF
his brothers. The family did accept of Goshen
and settle there. The word activity" (V g.
primarily refers to strength, physical robust
ness. Gesenius takes il tropically and renders
it, "capability, good publication"
Verses and 10 state that Jacob blessed Pha-
raoh. This, it is thought by many, means, in
| V. Z, that he Saluted him, and In v. 10 that he
babe him "Good-by." The Hebrew form OF
salutation was Peace be to thee" Some hold
with great reason. we are to understand by the
word blessed" formal religious act on ia
cob's part, in the interest of Pharaoh, for his
many fayors to Joseph and his regal hospitality
TO the entire family. Cor the form Of such
| religious blessing see NJ, s 23-27.) DR.. John
Hall renders, prayed for blessing on Pha-
raoh." 1t is very likely that this view of ia
cOb's act is correct. OF course, all this inter-
view would have to be through an interpreter
The reply of Jacob to Pharaoh's question is
very pathetic. Nv. 81 He was 100 years old
This was not so great an age rs compared with
the ages of his grandfather and father. Abra.
ham lived to be 175 years old, and Isaac died
| ut $50. He may have had apprehensions he
was not TO live long. Isaac, when lit years
old, became possessed of q similar impression
| (2:l) Presentiments are not always to be
trusted. Jacob lived II years after his intro
duction to Pharaoh. DIR. Guthrie was not
pleased with the tone of Jacobs answer He
thought it cowardly and complaining, uncom-
plimentary to the true God, as opposed to the
Egyptian belief, unmanly. the language of one
| walking more by sight than faith. Standing
in heather palace he had good opportunity
to exhibit a noble spirit and claim it as prod
uct of his Hebrew religion. Instead we hear
vail and pitiful complaint. But a traveller
in the East says:
| "Old Jacobs speech to Pharaoh really made me
laugh don't be shocked), because il is so exactly
| like what a Feah says To a P.lsha: Few and evil
| have been my days, etc. Jacob being a most pros
porous mani: but IL Is manners To say all that
| feel quite kindly now toward Jacob, whom useC